Reply to ‘‘Comment on ‘Very weak γ transitions in the ε/β+decay of’68

Abstract

Using the spectra in the article ''Very weak ␥ transitions in the ⑀/␤ ϩ decay of 68 Ga'' ͓D. T. Vo et al.. Phys. Rev. C 50, 1713 ͑1994͔͒, Skalsey makes an interesting speculation in the accompanying article ͓M. Skalsey, Phys. Rev. C 54, 439 ͑1996͒, the preceding paper͔ on the possible existence of a positron feeding with a kinetic endpoint energy of 16 keV in the decay of 68 Ga. Skalsey also points out the facts supporting the e ϩ feeding to the 1656-keV level that were not mentioned by Vo et al. In this Reply to the Comment, we present information supporting the new e ϩ decay to the 1656-keV level and further information on the statistical uncertainties that suggest an even greater skepticism than that shown by Skalsey about the possible existence of the 16-keV e ϩ decay to the 1883-keV level upon which he commented. ͓S0556-2813͑96͒03207-4͔PACS number͑s͒: 23.20.Lv, 23.40.Bw, 27.50.ϩe, 29.25.Ϫt